Lovers of theatre will find much to savour in the first play of Red Stitch Actors’ Theatre’s 21st season, which brings together fine writing, acting and direction. Emerging from the company’s INK development program, Grace is a gently woven tapestry of the relationships between three generations of women. It’s handled with loving care by former MTC Artistic Associate Director and STC Resident Director Sarah Goodes – a coup for this small company – and three actors who bring nuance and conviction to their roles of mothers and daughters.

Jillian Murry and Kate Cole in Grace. Photo © Jodie Hutchinson

Written by Katy Warner, Grace is set in Copenhagen, but all we see is the living area of a hotel suite where words, looks and silences are exchanged between three characters. Author Emma, who hasn’t written anything in a decade, is preparing to accept the Hans Christian Andersen Award for her oeuvre of children’s literature. She has been joined by her mother, Beth, who gave up writing to raise Emma and another unseen daughter, and is now showing signs that age is affecting her. Eventually, Grace arrives unexpectedly. Emma...